Dharmendra was at the top of his game for over 25 years as the producers were lining up in front of his house with the scripts of big budget films till 1986.

Arjun Hingorani introduced the He-Man of Bollywood, Dharmendra with Dil Bhi Tera Hum Bhi Tere in 1960. Upon the release of the film, no one ever thought that the good-looking lead actor of the film will end his career with around 50 Hit Films, thereby becoming one of the biggest superstars in the history of Indian cinema.

The man has seen it all in his career. From being surrounded by writers and producers for over 20 years, to signing several B-Grade films, just to keep the bank balance rolling for the family. Having acted in 200 plus films, Dharmendra has been a part of around 93 successful films (Average or above) out of which, 49 were HIT FILMS, the HIGHEST EVER FOR A BOLLYWOOD ACTOR. The first hit film for Dharmendra was Anpadh in 1962 and the last Hit film, that the evergreen superstar has been a part of was Yamla Pagla Deewana in 2011. The actor will next be seen in Yamla Pagla Deewana Phir Se, which might well prove to be yet another successful venture for the superstar.

Dharmendra was at the top of his game for over 25 years as the producers were lining up in front of his house with the scripts of big budget films till 1986. In-fact, at the peak of his career, 5 Dharmendra films proved to be the highest grossing films of the year. They include, Phool Aur Patthar, Aankhen, Hukumat, Sholay and Seeta Aur Geeta. Very few people know and believe that Dharmendra was paid more than Amitabh Bachchan for Sholay and the film initially was promoted as a Dharmendra film, as he was a much bigger and popular star than Bachchan at that point of time. However, over the years Bachchan’s legacy created the perception of Sholay riding solely on his star-power.

While the industry often talks about Rajesh Khanna’s golden run at the Box-Office without any offense to the achievements of Khanna, Dharmendra has achieved a lot more in terms of commercial success. While Khanna’s success streak was short lived, Dharmendra was able to keep himself relevant for a longer span and acted in a lot more successful film. The hysteria that Rajesh Khanna created in a span of 6 years was unbelievable and something that not many in the industry have seen till date, however purely based on longevity, Dharmendra gets the brownie point.

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Dharmendra never quite got the due from the trade and media as in the later half of his career, the actor took up a lot of B-Grade films which sank without a trace at the Box-Office, although a few of them even worked at the Box-Office in the interiors. Not just were the production values tacky, but the films seemed to be a goner from the title itself. Pappi Devata, Juari, Maha Shaktishaali, Hum Sab Chor Hai, Dharma Karma, Veeru Dada, Pyaar Ka Karz, Daaku Bhairav Singh were some of the many B-Grade films that the superstar associated himself with, which dented his standing in the industry by a considerable extent. The actor infact holds two unique records:

1. Superstar with maximum hit films

2. Superstar with maximum flop films

Well as they say, let us not kill the legacy of the superstar who has acted in probably the highest number of HIT films by remembering the films that didn’t quite work at the Box-Office.

Here’s a look at the Hit films starring Dharmendra in lead:

1. Phool Aur Patthar: Blockbuster

2. Aankhen: Blockbuster

3. Mera Gaon Mera Desh: Blockbuster

4. Seeta Aur Geeta: Blockbuster

5. Sholay: Blockbuster

6. Dharam Veer: Blockbuster

7. Pratigya: Super Hit

8. Aaye Milan Ki Bela: Super Hit

9. Hukumat: Super Hit

10. Jugnu: Super Hit

11. Ilaaka: Super Hit

12. Guddu: Super Hit

13. Ghulami: Super Hit

14. Pyaar Kiya Toh Darna Kya: Super Hit

15. Anpadh: Hit

16. Haqeeqat: Hit

17. Kajaal: Hit

18. Neela Akash: Hit

19. Mamta: Hit

20. Anupama: Hit

21. Aaye Din Bahar: Hit

22. Devar: Hit

23. Shikar: Hit

24. Aaya Sawan Jhoom Ke: Hit

25. Tum Haseen Main Jawaan: Hit

26. Sharafat: Hit

27. Jeevan Mrityu: Hit

28. Raja Jani: Hit

29. Yadoon Ki Baraat: Hit

30. Kahani Kismat Ki: Hit

31. Loafer: Hit

32. Dost: Hit

33. Dream Girl: Hit

34. Chupke Chupke: Hit

35. Charas: Hit

36. Chacha Bhatija: Hit

37. Ram Balram: Hit

38. Insaaf Ka Tarazu: Hit

39. Kaatilo Ke Katil: Hit

40. Teesri Aankh: Hit

41. Naukar Biwi Ka: Hit

42. Aazad: Hit

43. Dharam Aur Kanoon: Hit

44. Raj Tilak: Hit

45. Aag Hi Aag: Hit

46. Loha: Hit

47. Elaan Ae Jung: Hit

48. Trinetra: Hit

49. Yamla Pagla Deewana: Hit

PS: Due to massive magnitude of releases, and limited availability of data, we might have missed out on a couple of hit films starring Dharmendra in lead, and he well might be the FIRST and ONLY star in the history of Bollywood to have delivered more than 50 HIT films. Even by this list, if we have not missed out on any film, Yamla Pagla Deewana Phir Se stands a solid chance to emerge Dharmendra’s 50th HIT film.

You have missed out quite a few Semi Hits & Hits.. Maa, Kab Kyon Aur Kahan, Khe Khilari Ka, Tahalka etc. Its Correct that Dharmendra has never got the due from Trade or Bollywood and even in the 100 years of Hindi Cinema published Book his name was not mentioned which is humiliating for an Actor of his Calibre.